Every Moment Mattered – Epilogue

Every Moment Mattered – Epilogue At 01:48 on 13 November, Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan’s relatively small landing support group of thirteen ships engaged the enemy. The Japanese force consisted of two battleships, one light cruiser, and nine destroyers. Because of bad weather and confused communications, the battle occurred in near-pitch darkness and at almost […]

Every Moment Mattered – The Life and Death of Cassin Young, Captain, USN MOH Recipient – Chapter Eighteen: Every Moment Mattered … Saving the Vestal

Chapter Eighteen: Every Moment Mattered… Saving the Vestal Navy Regulations Article 0802 Commanding Officer’s responsibility The responsibility of the commanding officer for his or her command is absolute, except when, and to the extent to which, he or she has been relieved therefrom by competent authority, or as provided otherwise in these regulations. The authority of […]

Every Moment Mattered – The Life and Death of Cassin Young, Captain, USN MOH Recipient – Chapter Fifteen: If you are in a boat, you are more afraid of fire than you are of water. (Japanese Proverb)

Chapter Fifteen: If you are in a boat, you are more afraid of fire than you are of water. (Japanese Proverb) The Japanese radio station at Iwaki signaled to the Radio Corporation of America’s local station that Yokohama was on fire. The massive earthquake that struck the empire of Japan on September first demonstrated the power […]

Every Moment Mattered – The Life and Death of Cassin Young, Captain, USN MOH Recipient – Chapter Fourteen: Facing the Far East

Chapter Fourteen – Facing Far East In the 1920’s, the battle between the Navy, Congress and the Executive branch played out in the newspapers and around the globe. The Naval Disarmament Treaty of 1922 expedited the cuts that the professional Navy observers had long feared. Many existing ships were scrapped, new construction slowed to a crawl […]

Every Moment Mattered – The Life and Death of Cassin Young, Captain, USN MOH Recipient – Chapter Twelve: Pig Boats at the Panama Canal

Chapter Twelve Pig Boats at the Panama Canal From the Annual Report of the Navy Department (1921/22), an accurate description of life on board any of the submarines of the day: “Submarines, from their size and peculiarities of construction and operation, are far less habitable than the usual types of surface craft. They do not […]

Every Moment Mattered – The Life and Death of Cassin Young, Captain, USN MOH Recipient – Chapter Ten: She married a Submariner

Chapter Ten: She married a Submariner There was a custom that existed when ships were at sea to drink a toast at dinner on Saturday night to officer’s wives and sweethearts. The second stanza to one of those toasts (that dated back to the Royal Navy) said: Sweethearts and wives, those precious names That make […]

Every Moment Mattered – The Life and Death of Cassin Young, Captain, USN MOH Recipient – Chapter Seven: One fights a war where one is sent. (1916 – 1918)

Chapter Seven: One fights a war where one is sent. (1916 – 1918) “So, cheer up my son. Play the game. Take your medicine. Don’t squeal. Watch your step. After all, it is a splendid profession and an honorable career.” (Naval Institute Proceedings, XLI, No. 157 “Letters of a Retired Rear Admiral to his son” […]

Every Moment Mattered – The Life and Death of Cassin Young, Captain, USN MOH Recipient – Chapter Six: The End and The Beginning

Chapter Six: The End and The Beginning Josephus Daniels became the Secretary of the Navy after the election of Woodrow Wilson. He was a reformer in every sense of the word and brought with him very little understanding of the naval traditions that shaped the modern organization he inherited. He was determined to build the navy […]

Every Moment Mattered – The Life and Death of Cassin Young, Captain, USN MOH Recipient – Chapter Five: The Spanish Revenge

Chapter Five: The Spanish Revenge Being a Second Classman brought with it increased privileges for Midshipman Young and his classmates. They would also have a more comfortable setting to live and study in. A Second Class Suite with a bath as the boys called it in Bancroft Hall. Two stripes adorned each arm on his service […]

Every Moment Mattered – The Life and Death of Cassin Young, Captain, USN MOH Recipient – Chapter Four: Join the Navy and See the World

Chapter Four: Join the Navy and See the World From the Secretary of the Navy’s 1912 report to the President: OUTPUT OF NAVAL ACADEMY. “This year 265 midshipmen entered the Naval Academy; next year there may be as many, or even more, on account of the reapportionment of congressional districts. After June 30 next, however, the […]